Relay

Abstract

Relay, including: a first fixed connection (13); a first fixed contact (21) connected to the first fixed terminal (13); a second fixed connection (14); a second fixed contact (22) connected to the second fixed terminal (14); a first movable contact piece (15); a first movable contact (31) connected to the first movable contact piece (15) and facing the first fixed contact (21); a second movable contact (32) connected to the first movable contact piece (15) and facing the second fixed contact (22); a movable member (17) connected to the first movable contact piece (15) so as to be movable in a contact direction in which the first movable contact (31) comes into contact with the first fixed contact (21) and a separation direction in which the first movable contact (31) separates from the first fixed contact (21); and a drive device (4) comprising: a coil body (62), a winding (61) wound around the coil body (62), a movable iron core (63) connected to the movable element (17), a fixed iron core (64) arranged to face the movable iron core (63) within the coil body (62), and a guide element (65) arranged in the coil body (62) and designed to at least partially receive the movable iron core (63), wherein the drive device (4) is designed to move the first movable contact piece (15) by means of the movable iron core (63) which moves in response to the magnetic force generated by the winding (61), wherein the guide element (65) contains: a guide part (651) designed to guide the movement of the movable iron core (63), and a clearance part (652) having a larger inner diameter than an inner diameter of the guide part (651) and configured to reduce interference between the guide part (651) and an outer end part of the movable iron core (63) on the contact direction side when the movable iron core (63) moves.

Description

Area

[0001] The present invention relates to a relay. background

[0002] A plunger relay includes a pair of fixed contacts, a movable contact piece, and a driving device. For example, in the relay described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-199110A, the movable contact piece includes a pair of movable contacts. The pair of movable contacts are arranged separately from each other in the longitudinal direction of the movable contact piece. The pair of movable contacts are arranged opposite the pair of fixed contacts.

[0003] The drive device moves the movable contact piece. The drive device includes a coil and a movable iron core. The movable contact piece is connected to the movable iron core by a drive shaft. The movable contact piece moves when the movable iron core moves in response to the magnetic force generated by the winding. The movable iron core is housed in a non-magnetic guide member and moves along the guide member.

[0004] JP 2012-199 126 A, in turn, discloses a relay having a first fixed terminal, a first fixed contact connected thereto, a second fixed terminal, a second fixed contact connected thereto, and a first movable contact piece. The known relay has a first movable contact connected to the first movable contact piece and facing the first fixed contact, and a second movable contact connected to the first movable contact piece and facing the second fixed contact. Furthermore, a movable element is provided which is connected to the first movable contact piece such that it is movable in a contact direction in which the first movable contact comes into contact with the first fixed contact, and a separation direction in which the first movable contact separates from the first fixed contact.The known relay further comprises a drive device having a coil former, a winding wound around the coil former, a movable iron core connected to the movable element, a fixed iron core, and a guide element. The fixed iron core is arranged to oppose the movable iron core within the coil former. The guide element, which is arranged in the coil former, in turn serves to at least partially accommodate the movable iron core. The drive device is designed such that the first movable contact piece is movable by means of the movable iron core, which moves in response to the magnetic force generated by the winding, wherein the guide element comprises a guide part designed to guide the movement of the movable iron core. Similar relays are also known from DE 10 2017 113 051 A1 and DE 10 2013 211 816 A1. Summary

[0005] In the relay described above, when the movable iron core moves in response to the magnetic force generated by the winding, if the movable iron core inclines with respect to the guide member, an end part of the movable iron core and the guide member may interfere with each other, and the movable iron core and the guide member may wear out.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to reduce the interference between the movable iron core and the guide element.

[0007] A relay according to one aspect includes a first fixed terminal, a first fixed contact, a second fixed terminal, a second fixed contact, a first movable contact piece, a movable element, and a driving device. The first fixed contact is connected to the first fixed terminal. The second fixed contact is connected to the second fixed terminal. The first movable contact is connected to the first movable contact piece and opposes the first fixed contact. The second movable contact is connected to the first movable contact piece and opposes the second fixed contact. The movable element is connected to the first movable contact piece so as to be movable in a contact direction in which the first movable contact comes into contact with the first fixed contact and a separation direction in which the first movable contact separates from the first fixed contact.The drive device includes a coil former, a winding, a movable iron core, a fixed iron core, and a guide member. The winding is wound around the coil former. The movable iron core is connected to the movable member. The fixed iron core is arranged to oppose the movable iron core in the coil former. The guide member is arranged in the coil former and is configured to at least partially accommodate the movable iron core. The drive device is configured to move the first movable contact piece by means of the movable iron core, which moves in response to the magnetic force generated by the winding. The guide member includes a guide part and a clearance part. The guide part is configured to guide the movement of the movable iron core. The clearance part has a larger inner diameter than an inner diameter of the guide part.The clearance part is designed to reduce interference between the guide part and an outer end part of the movable iron core.

[0008] In the relay according to this aspect, since the inner diameter of the clearance part is larger than the inner diameter of the guide part, the outer edge part of the movable iron core on the contact direction side is moved into the clearance part when the movable iron core moves, and this reduces the interference between the outer edge part of the movable iron core on the contact direction side and the guide part. As a result, the interference between the movable iron core and the guide member can be reduced to minimize wear of the movable iron core and the guide member.

[0009] The outer end portion may be located in the clearance portion when the first movable contact is in contact with the first fixed contact. In this case, the outer end portion of the movable iron core is located in the clearance portion when the movable iron core moves and the first movable contact and the first fixed contact come into contact with each other. Thus, the interference between the movable iron core and the guide member can be effectively reduced.

[0010] The fixed iron core may have a larger outer diameter than the outer diameter of the movable iron core. In this case, the fixed iron core may be positioned closer to the winding than the movable iron core, increasing the magnetic attraction.

[0011] The relay may further include a yoke arranged surrounding the coil body. The clearance portion may have a larger outer diameter than the outer diameter of the guide portion. The guide member may further include a connecting portion connecting the guide portion and the clearance portion. A portion of the yoke may extend along the guide portion and the connecting portion. In this case, it is possible to increase the magnetic attraction and hold the guide member in place by the yoke.

[0012] The outer diameter of the free space can be smaller than the outer diameter of the fixed iron core. In this case, the magnetic force of the winding can be effectively transmitted to the movable iron core.

[0013] The guide element does not need to be located between the coil body and the fixed iron core. In this case, the fixed iron core can be positioned close to the winding, which increases the magnetic attraction.

[0014] A gap may be present between the guide element and the coil body. In this case, the magnetic force of the winding can be effectively transmitted to the movable iron core.

[0015] The inner surface of the coil former may extend linearly over the entire length of the movable iron core in the direction of movement of the movable iron core. In this case, the magnetic attraction can be further enhanced by forming a stepped portion on the inner surface of the coil former.

[0016] At least one of the guide member and the movable iron core may be lubricated. In this case, the interference between the outer end portion of the movable iron core and the guide member can be further reduced to minimize wear of the movable iron core and the guide member. Short description of the drawing Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a relay according to an embodiment. Fig. Figure 2 is a plan view of the relay when a movable element is in an open position. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the relay. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the movable element and its vicinity. Fig. 5 is an enlarged drawing of the neighborhood of a Fig. 3 shown guide element. Fig. Figure 6 is a plan view of the relay when the movable element is in a closed position. Detailed description

[0017] A relay 1 according to an embodiment is described below with reference to the figures. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the relay 1 according to the embodiment. Fig. 2 is a top view of relay 1. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of Relay 1.

[0018] The relay 1 includes a contact device 2, a housing 3, and a drive device 4. The contact device 2 and the drive device 4 are arranged within the housing 3. The housing 3 includes a base 11 and a box 12. The base 11 and the box 12 are made of plastic, for example. It should be noted that the box 12 is Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is omitted.

[0019] In the following description, a direction in which the contact device 2 and the drive device 4 are arranged with respect to the base 11 is defined as an upward direction, and the direction opposite to the upward direction is defined as a downward direction. A predetermined direction intersecting the up-down direction (Z) is defined as a front-back direction (Y). A predetermined direction intersecting the up-down direction (Z) and the front-back direction (Y) is defined as a left-right direction (X). However, these directions are defined only for the sake of brevity of description and are not intended to limit the directions in which the relay 1 is arranged.

[0020] The contact device 2 includes a first fixed terminal 13, a second fixed terminal 14, a first fixed contact 21, a second fixed contact 22, a third fixed contact 23, and a fourth fixed contact 24. The first fixed terminal 13 and the second fixed terminal 14 are made of a conductive material such as copper. The first fixed terminal 13 and the second fixed terminal 14 extend in the up-down direction (Z). The first fixed terminal 13 and the second fixed terminal 14 are arranged separately from each other in the left-right direction (X). The first fixed terminal 13 and the second fixed terminal 14 are supported by the base 11.

[0021] The first fixed terminal 13 includes a first contact support part 131 and a first external connection part 132. The second fixed terminal 14 includes a second contact support part 141 and a second external connection part 142 (see Fig. 3). The first contact support part 131 and the second contact support part 141 are arranged in the housing 3. The first external connection part 132 and the second external connection part 142 protrude outside the housing 3. The first external connection part 132 and the second external connection part 142 protrude downward from the base 11.

[0022] The first fixed contact 21 and the third fixed contact 23 are connected to the first contact support part 131. The first fixed contact 21 and the third fixed contact 23 are separate parts from the first fixed terminal 13. The first fixed contact 21 and the third fixed contact 23 are arranged separately from each other in the up-down direction (Z) on the first fixed terminal 13.

[0023] The second fixed contact 22 and the fourth fixed contact 24 are arranged separately from the first fixed contact 21 and the third fixed contact 23 in the left-right direction (X). The second fixed contact 22 and the fourth fixed contact 24 are connected to the second contact support part 141. The second fixed contact 22 and the fourth fixed contact 24 are separate parts from the second fixed terminal 14. The second fixed contact 22 and the fourth fixed contact 24 are arranged separately from each other in the up-down direction (Z) on the second fixed terminal 14. The first to fourth fixed contacts 21 to 24 are made of a conductive material such as silver or copper.

[0024] The contact device 2 includes a first movable contact piece 15, a second movable contact piece 16, a first movable contact 31, a second movable contact 32, a third movable contact 33, and a fourth movable contact 34. The first movable contact piece 15 and the second movable contact piece 16 extend in the left-right direction (X). The longitudinal directions of the first movable contact piece 15 and the second movable contact piece 16 coincide with the left-right direction (X). The first movable contact piece 15 and the second movable contact piece 16 are formed independently of each other. The first movable contact piece 15 and the second movable contact piece 16 are arranged separately from each other in the up-down direction (Z).

[0025] The second movable contact piece 16 is arranged above the first movable contact piece 15. The first movable contact piece 15 is arranged between the second movable contact piece 16 and the base 11 in the up-down direction (Z). The first movable contact piece 15 and the second movable contact piece 16 are arranged opposite the first contact support part 131 of the first fixed terminal 13 and the second contact support part 141 of the second fixed terminal 14 in the front-back direction (Y), respectively. The first movable contact piece 15 and the second movable contact piece 16 are made of a conductive material such as copper.

[0026] The first movable contact 31 and the second movable contact 32 are formed independently of the first movable contact piece 15. The first movable contact 31 and the second movable contact 32 are connected to the first movable contact piece 15. The first movable contact 31 and the second movable contact 32 are arranged separately in the left-right direction (X). The first movable contact 31 is arranged opposite the first fixed contact 21. The second movable contact 32 is arranged opposite the second fixed contact 22.

[0027] The third movable contact 33 and the fourth movable contact 34 are formed independently of the second movable contact piece 16. The third movable contact 33 and the fourth movable contact 34 are connected to the second movable contact piece 16. The third movable contact 33 and the fourth movable contact 34 are arranged separately in the left-right direction (X). The third movable contact 33 is arranged separately from the first movable contact 31 in the up-down direction (Z). The fourth movable contact 34 is arranged separately from the second movable contact 32 in the up-down direction (Z). The third movable contact 33 is arranged opposite to the third fixed contact 23. The fourth movable contact 34 is arranged opposite to the fourth fixed contact 24. The first to fourth movable contacts 31 to 34 are made of a conductive material such as silver or copper.

[0028] The contact device 2 includes a movable element 17. The movable element 17 is made of an insulating material, such as plastic. The movable element 17 is connected to the first movable contact piece 15 and the second movable contact piece 16. The first movable contact piece 15 is connected to the movable element 17 between the first movable contact 31 and the second movable contact 32. The first movable contact piece 15 is connected to the movable element 17 via a first contact spring 51 described below. The second movable contact piece 16 is connected to the movable element 17 between the third movable contact 33 and the fourth movable contact 34. The second movable contact piece 16 is connected to the movable element 17 via a second contact spring 52 described below.The first movable contact piece 15 and the second movable contact piece 16 can be directly connected to the movable element 17.

[0029] The movable member 17 is configured to move in a contact direction (Y1) in which the first movable contact 31 comes into contact with the first fixed contact 21, and in a separation direction (Y2) in which the first movable contact 31 separates from the first fixed contact 21. The contact direction (Y1) and the separation direction (Y2) are examples of the moving directions of the movable member 17. The contact direction (Y1) and the separation direction (Y2) coincide with the front-to-back direction (Y). The contact direction (Y1) is a direction in which the movable contacts 31 to 34 come into contact with the fixed contacts 21 to 24 in the front-to-back direction (Y). The separation direction (Y2) is a direction in which the movable contacts 31 to 34 separate from the fixed contacts 21 to 24 in the front-to-back direction (Y).

[0030] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the movable element 17 and its vicinity. As in Fig. 2 and Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the movable member 17 includes a coupling part 25, a first support part 41, a second support part 42, a first connecting part 43, and a second connecting part 44. The coupling part 25 extends in the front-to-rear direction (Y). The first support part 41 extends downward from the coupling part 25. The first support part 41 supports the first movable contact piece 15. The first support part 41 includes a first holding hole 411. The first movable contact piece 15 is disposed in the first holding hole 411.

[0031] The second support part 42 extends upward from the coupling part 25. The second support part 42 supports the second movable contact piece 16. The second support part 42 includes a second holding hole 421. The second movable contact piece 16 is arranged in the second holding hole 421. The movable element 17 includes a partition wall 45. The partition wall 45 encloses the first holding hole 411 and the second holding hole 421. The partition wall 45 is arranged between the first movable contact piece 15 and the second movable contact piece 16.

[0032] The movable member 17 includes a first member 17a and a second member 17b. The first member 17a and the second member 17b are separate parts. The first member 17a and the second member 17b are connected to each other by snap-fitting. The first member 17a includes the coupling part 25, a part of the first support part 41, a part of the second support part 42, the first connecting part 43, and the second connecting part 44. The second member 17b includes a part of the first support part 41 and a part of the second support part 42. The first holding hole 411 and the second holding hole 421 are formed between the first member 17a and the second member 17b.

[0033] As in Fig. As shown in Fig. 3, an upper end of the movable member 17 is arranged in close proximity to the box 12. A lower end of the movable member 17 is arranged on the base 11. The movable member 17 is supported by the base 11 in the up-down direction (Z).

[0034] The contact device 2 includes the first contact spring 51 and the second contact spring 52. The first contact spring 51 is arranged between the first movable contact piece 15 and the first support part 41. The first contact spring 51 is arranged in the first holding hole 411. In a state where the first movable contact 31 is in contact with the first fixed contact 21 and the second movable contact 32 is in contact with the second fixed contact 22, the first contact spring 51 presses the first movable contact piece 15 toward the first fixed terminal 13 and the second fixed terminal 14.

[0035] The second contact spring 52 is arranged between the second movable contact piece 16 and the second support part 42. The second contact spring 52 is arranged in the second holding hole 421. In a state where the third movable contact 33 is in contact with the third fixed contact 23 and the fourth movable contact 34 is in contact with the fourth fixed contact 24, the second contact spring 52 presses the second movable contact piece 16 toward the first fixed terminal 13 and the second fixed terminal 14.

[0036] The driving device 4 moves the first movable contact piece 15 and the second movable contact piece 16 by electromagnetic force. The driving device 4 moves the first movable contact piece 15 and the second movable contact piece 16 in the contact direction (Y1) and the separation direction (Y2). As shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 5, the driving device 4 includes a winding 61, a bobbin 62, a movable iron core 63, a fixed iron core 64, a guide member 65, and a yoke 65. The driving device 4 moves the first movable contact piece 15 and the second movable contact piece 16 when the movable iron core 63 moves in response to the magnetic force generated by the winding 61.

[0037] The winding 61 is wound around the coil body 62. An axis line of the winding 61 extends in the front-to-back direction (Y). The coil body 62 includes a hole 621 extending in the axis line direction of the winding 61. The inner surface of the coil body 62 extends linearly along the entire length of the coil body 62 in the front-to-back direction (Y). In other words, no steps are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the hole 621 of the coil body 62.

[0038] The movable iron core 63 is at least partially disposed in the hole 621 of the coil body 62. The movable iron core 63 is configured to move in the contact direction (Y1) and the separation direction (Y2). The movable iron core 63 is lubricated. For example, a fluorine-based lubricant may be applied to the surface of the movable iron core 63.

[0039] The movable iron core 63 moves integrally with the movable element 17 in the front-to-back direction (Y). The movable iron core 63 moves in the contact direction (Y1) or the separation direction (Y2) according to the magnetic force generated by the winding 61. The movable element 17 moves to the closed position or the open position following the movement of the movable iron core 63. Furthermore, the first movable contact piece 15 and the second movable contact piece 16 move in the contact direction (Y1) or the separation direction (Y2) following the movement of the movable element 17. Fig. 5, the position of the movable iron core 63 when the movable element 17 is at the closed position is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

[0040] The movable iron core 63 includes an iron core main part 63a, a projection 63b, and a coupling part 66. The iron core main part 63a is formed into a cylindrical shape and extends in the front-to-back direction (Y). The outer surface of the iron core main part 63a extends linearly along the entire length of the iron core main part 63a in the front-to-back direction (Y). The projection 63b projects in the contact direction (Y1) from an end surface of the iron core main part 63a on the contact direction (Y1) side. The projection 63b is formed such that the outer diameter of the projection 63b gradually decreases along the contact direction (Y1).

[0041] The coupling part 63c is connected to the movable element 17. More specifically, the coupling part 25 of the movable element 17, as shown in Fig. 3, a coupling recess 59. The coupling part 63c of the movable iron core 63 is arranged in the coupling recess 59. With this arrangement, the coupling part 63c couples with the coupling recess 59 to connect the movable iron core 63 to the movable element 17.

[0042] The fixed iron core 64 is arranged to oppose the movable iron core 63 within the coil body 62. The fixed iron core 64 is arranged in the hole 621 of the coil body 62. The fixed iron core 64 is arranged farther in the contact direction (Y1) than the movable iron core 63. The outer diameter of the fixed iron core 64 is larger than the outer diameter of the movable iron core 63.

[0043] The guide member 65 is cylindrical and extends in the front-to-back direction. The guide member 65 is disposed within the coil body 62 and at least partially accommodates the movable iron core 63. The guide member 65 is disposed in the hole 621 of the coil body 62. The guide member 65 is not disposed between the coil body 62 and the fixed iron core 64. The guide member 65 is lubricated. For example, a fluorine-based lubricant may be applied to the surface of the guide member 65. The guide member 65 is made of a non-magnetic material such as SUS304, brass, or copper.

[0044] The guide member 65 includes a guide portion 651, a clearance portion 652, and a connecting portion 653. The guide portion 651 guides the movement of the movable iron core 63. The guide portion 651 slidably supports the iron core main portion 63a. The inner diameter of the guide portion 651 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the movable iron core 63, and the movable iron core 63 is at least partially housed in the guide portion 651. A gap is provided between the outer peripheral surface of the guide member 65 and the inner peripheral surface of the coil bobbin 62.

[0045] The clearance part 652 is arranged adjacent to the guide part 651 on the contact direction (Y1) side of the guide part 651. The inner diameter of the clearance part 652 is larger than the inner diameter of the guide part 651. The outer diameter of the clearance part 652 is larger than the outer diameter of the guide part 651 and the outer diameter of the iron core main part 63a. The outer diameter of the clearance part 652 is smaller than the outer diameter of the fixed iron core 64. An end surface of the clearance part 652 is in contact with an end surface of the fixed iron core 64 on the separation direction (Y2) side. A gap is present between the outer peripheral surface of the clearance part 652 and the inner peripheral surface of the coil bobbin 62.

[0046] The clearance portion 652 reduces the interference between an outer edge portion 63d of the movable iron core 63 on the contact direction (Y1) side and the guide portion 651 when the movable iron core 63 moves. The outer edge portion 63d according to this embodiment is an outer edge portion of an end portion of the iron core main body 63a on the contact direction (Y1) side. As shown in Fig. 5, the outer edge portion 63d is housed in the clearance portion 652 when the movable iron core 63 moves. When the movable member 17 is in the closed position, the outer edge portion 63d is located in the clearance portion 652.

[0047] The connecting part 653 connects the guide part 651 and the clearance part 652. The connecting part 653 expands from an end part of the guide part 651 on the contact direction (Y1) side. The connecting part 653 extends in the up-down direction. When the movable member 17 is in the open position, the outer edge part 63d overlaps with the connecting part 653 in the up-down direction.

[0048] The yoke 66 is arranged surrounding the winding 61. The yoke 66 is arranged in a magnetic circuit formed by the winding 61. A portion of the yoke 66 extends along the guide portion 651 to the connecting portion 653. More specifically, the yoke 66 includes a first yoke 67 and a second yoke 68.

[0049] The first yoke 67 includes a cylindrical part 67a and a flange part 67b. The cylindrical part 67a is arranged between the spool 62 and the guide part 651. The cylindrical part 67a extends in the front-to-back direction (Y). The cylindrical part 67a extends along the outer peripheral surface of the guide part 651 to the connecting part 653 and holds the guide member 65. The flange part 67b has a rectangular outer shape and extends in the up-down direction (Z) and the left-right direction (X). The flange part 67b widens from one end part of the cylindrical part 67a on the separating direction (Y2) side. The flange part 67b faces the movable member 17 in the front-to-back direction (Y). Parts of the second yoke 68 are arranged to the left and right of the winding 61. The second yoke 68 is connected to the fixed iron core 64.

[0050] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the relay 1 includes a first return spring 53 and a second return spring 54. The first return spring 53 and the second return spring 54 are arranged between the movable member 17 and the drive device 4. The first return spring 53 is connected to the first connecting part 43 of the movable member 17. The second return spring 54 is connected to the second connecting part 44. The first return spring 53 and the second return spring 54 bias the movable iron core 63 in the disconnection direction.

[0051] Next, the operation of relay 1 is described. When the winding 61 is not energized, the drive device 4 is not energized. In this case, the movable element 17 together with the movable iron core 63 is pressed in the disconnection direction due to the elastic force of the return springs 53, 54, and the movable element 17 is at the position shown in Fig. 2. In this state, the first movable contact piece 15 and the second movable contact piece 16 are also pushed in the separation direction via the movable member 17. Thus, with the movable member 17 in the open position, the first movable contact 31 and the second movable contact 32 are separated from the first fixed contact 21 and the second fixed contact 22. Similarly, with the movable member 17 in the open position, the third movable contact 33 and the fourth movable contact 34 are separated from the third fixed contact 23 and the fourth fixed contact 24.

[0052] When current flows through the winding 61, the drive device 4 is energized. In this case, the movable iron core 63 moves in the contact direction (Y1) due to the electromagnetic force of the winding 61 against the elastic forces of the return springs 53, 54. With this arrangement, the movable element 17, the first movable contact piece 15, and the second movable contact piece 16 move together in the contact direction (Y1). Thus, as shown in Fig. 6, the movable element 17 moves to the closed position. As a result, with the movable element 17 at the closed position, the first movable contact 31 and the second movable contact 32 come into contact with the first fixed contact 21 and the second fixed contact 22, respectively. Similarly, with the movable element 17 at the closed position, the third movable contact 33 and the fourth movable contact 34 come into contact with the third fixed contact 23 and the fourth fixed contact 24, respectively. As a result, the first movable contact piece 15 and the second movable contact piece 16 are electrically connected in parallel to each other to the first fixed terminal 13 and the second fixed terminal 14.

[0053] When the current flow in the winding 61 is interrupted and the winding 61 is neutralized, the movable iron core 63 is pressed in the separation direction by the elastic force of the return springs 53 and 54. As a result, the movable element 17, the first movable contact piece 15, and the second movable contact piece 16 move together in the separation direction (Y2). Thus, as shown in Fig. 2, the movable element 17 moves to the open position. As a result, with the movable element 17 in the open position, the first movable contact 31 and the second movable contact 32 separate from the first fixed contact 21 and the second fixed contact 22, respectively. Similarly, with the movable element 17 in the open position, the third movable contact 33 and the fourth movable contact 34 separate from the third fixed contact 23 and the fourth fixed contact 24, respectively.

[0054] In the relay 1 according to this embodiment, as described above, the inner diameter of the clearance part 652 is larger than the inner diameter of the guide part 651. Thus, the outer edge part 63d of the movable iron core 63 on the contact direction (Y1) side is moved into the clearance part 652 when the movable iron core 63 moves, and this reduces the interference between the outer edge part 63d of the movable iron core 63 and the guide part 651. As a result, the interference between the movable iron core 63 and the guide member 65 can be reduced to minimize wear of the movable iron core 63 and the guide member 65.

[0055] Furthermore, the part of the yoke 66 extends along the guide part 651 to the connecting part 653. Therefore, the magnetic attraction can be increased, and the guide member 65 can be held by the yoke 66. Furthermore, the guide member 65 is not arranged between the coil bobbin 62 and the fixed iron core 64, and the outer diameter of the fixed iron core 64 is larger than the outer diameter of the movable iron core 63. With this arrangement, the fixed iron core 64 can be arranged close to the winding 61, which increases the magnetic attraction.

[0056] An embodiment of the present invention is described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and can be changed without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0057] In the above-described embodiment, the driving device 4 pushes the movable member 17 out from the driving device 4 side to the contact device 2 side, so that the first movable contact piece 15 and the second movable contact piece 16 move in the separation direction. Further, the driving device 4 pulls the movable member 17 in from the contact device 2 side to the driving device 4 side, so that the first movable contact piece 15 and the second movable contact piece 16 move in the contact direction. However, the operating direction of the movable member 17 for opening / closing the contacts may be opposite to that in the above-described embodiment.That is, the driving device 4 can push the movable member 17 out from the driving device 4 side to the contact device 2 side, so that the first movable contact piece 15 and the second movable contact piece 16 move in the contact direction. The driving device 4 can retract the movable member 17 in from the contact device 2 side to the driving device 4 side, so that the first movable contact piece 15 and the second movable contact piece 16 move in the separation direction. In other words, the contact direction and the separation direction can be opposite to those in the above-described embodiment.

[0058] The shapes or arrangement of the first fixed terminal 13, the second fixed terminal 14, the first movable contact piece 15, and the second movable contact piece 16 may be changed. For example, the first external terminal part 132 and the second external terminal part 142 may protrude from the base 11 in a direction different from that in the above-described embodiment. The first movable contact piece 15 and the second movable contact piece 16 may be integrally formed. In other words, the first to fourth movable contacts 31 to 34 may be connected to a single-piece movable contact piece. Alternatively, the second movable contact piece 16, the third and fourth movable contacts 33, 34, and the third and fourth fixed contacts 23, 24 may be omitted.

[0059] The shapes or arrangement of the first to fourth fixed contacts 21 to 24 can be changed. The first fixed contact 21 and / or the third fixed contact 23 may be integral with the first fixed terminal 13. The first fixed contact 21 and / or the third fixed contact 23 may be part of the first fixed terminal 13 and flush with another part of the first fixed terminal 13. The second fixed contact 22 and / or the fourth fixed contact 24 may be integral with the second fixed terminal 14. The second fixed contact 22 and / or the fourth fixed contact 24 may be part of the second fixed terminal 14 and flush with another part of the second fixed terminal 14.

[0060] The shapes or arrangement of the first to fourth movable contacts 31 to 34 can be changed. The first movable contact 31 and / or the second movable contact 32 may be integral with the first movable contact piece 15. The first movable contact 31 and / or the second movable contact 32 may be part of the first movable contact piece 15 and flush with another part of the first movable contact piece 15. The third movable contact 33 and / or the fourth movable contact 34 may be integral with the second movable contact piece 16. The third movable contact 33 and / or the fourth movable contact 34 may be part of the second movable contact piece 16 and flush with another part of the second movable contact piece 16.

[0061] The shapes or arrangement of the winding 61, the bobbin 62, the movable iron core 63, the fixed iron core 64, the guide member 65, and the yoke 65 can be changed. A step may be formed on the inner surface of the bobbin 62. The guide member 65 may be disposed between the bobbin 62 and the fixed iron core 64. One of the guide member 65 and the fixed iron core 64 may be lubricated or not. The outer edge portion 63d of the movable iron core 63 may be housed in the guide portion 651 or the clearance portion 652 when the movable member 17 is at the open position. The outer edge portion 63d may be disposed further in the separation direction (Y2) or further in the contact direction (Y1) than the connection portion 653 when the movable member 17 is at the open position.The outer edge part 63d may be accommodated at least in the clearance part 652 when the movable member 17 is in the closed position.

[0062] The movable element 17 does not need to be held by the housing 3. The movable element 17 may be made of a conductive material. The movable element 17 may be made of a metal. The movable element 17 may be a shaft element that couples the movable contact pieces 15, 16 to the movable iron core 63. In this case, the movable contact pieces 15, 16 may be held by a bracket.

Claims

[1] Relay, comprising: a first fixed connection (13); a first fixed contact (21) connected to the first fixed terminal (13); a second fixed connection (14); a second fixed contact (22) connected to the second fixed terminal (14); a first movable contact piece (15); a first movable contact (31) connected to the first movable contact piece (15) and facing the first fixed contact (21); a second movable contact (32) connected to the first movable contact piece (15) and facing the second fixed contact (22); a movable element (17) connected to the first movable contact piece (15) so as to be movable in a contact direction in which the first movable contact (31) comes into contact with the first fixed contact (21) and a separation direction in which the first movable contact (31) separates from the first fixed contact (21); and a drive device (4) comprising: a coil body (62), a winding (61) wound around the coil body (62), a movable iron core (63) connected to the movable element (17), a fixed iron core (64) arranged to face the movable iron core (63) within the coil body (62), and a guide element (65) arranged in the coil body (62) and designed to at least partially accommodate the movable iron core (63), wherein the drive device (4) is designed to move the first movable contact piece (15) by means of the movable iron core (63) which moves in response to the magnetic force generated by the winding (61), wherein the guide element (65) contains: a guide part (651) designed to guide the movement of the movable iron core (63), and a clearance part (652) having a larger inner diameter than an inner diameter of the guide part (651) and configured to reduce interference between the guide part (651) and an outer end part of the movable iron core (63) on the contact direction side when the movable iron core (63) moves. [2] The relay according to claim 1, wherein the outer end portion is located in the clearance portion (652) when the first movable contact (31) is in contact with the first fixed contact (21). [3] The relay according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fixed iron core (64) has a larger outer diameter than an outer diameter of the movable iron core (63). [4] Relay according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a yoke (66) arranged to surround the coil body (62), wherein the free space part (652) has a larger outer diameter than an outer diameter of the guide part (651), the guide element (65) further includes a connecting part (653) connecting the guide part (651) and the free space part (652), and a part of the yoke (66) extends along the guide part (651) to the connecting part (653). [5] The relay according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the clearance portion (652) has a smaller outer diameter than an outer diameter of the fixed iron core (64). [6] A relay according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the guide member (65) is not disposed between the coil body (62) and the fixed iron core (64). [7] A relay according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a gap is provided between the guide member (65) and the coil body (62). [8] A relay according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein an inner surface of the coil body (62) extends linearly over the entire length of the movable iron core (63) in a moving direction of the movable iron core (63). [9] A relay according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one of the guide member (65) and the movable iron core (63) is lubricated.

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